The jab is the most important punch  in boxing -  the one you will use the most in your boxing career, whether you are fighting for fitness or glory.

Starting in  the boxer’s stance, the jab is a punch thrown  with the leading hand straight from the chin in a direct line toward your target. As the hands leaves its guard position next to your chin, the fist rotates a quarter to a half notch. As the punch is delivered, the fist gradually clenches and is completely clenched just before impact. After the impact the  fist is immediately relaxed and withdrawn to the guard position.

The jab is the busiest weapon in boxing because it can be thrown quickly without compromising a boxer’s defensive posture. The jab is utilized to score, to keep opponent at bay and set up combinations and power punches. Although it is  not considered a power punch, an effective use of jab over the course of a bout will cause a considerable deal of damage. A boxer can also learn to stiffen his jab by turning his hips with the punch and stepping into delivery.

Even in a street fight, the jab can effectively end a dispute  as it doesn’t risk exposure, loss of balance or mobility. The wallop of  a crispy thrown jab is more than enough to break a nose.

Watch any competitive bout and you will see that the jab is used more than any other punch. It’s the bread and butter of offensive boxing.

Learn to throw the jab with a step of the lead foot. By stepping with a jab, a boxer closes distance and is in position to use power punches.

Exhale through pursed lips in short, spitting wheezes as you deliver all your punches. Not breathing is a bad habit that should be avoided.

The jab is thrown directly from the chin with no wind-up or shrugging of the shoulders. The jab snaps toward its target and is pulled back immediately. A quick recovery is as important as  a quick delivery.

The jab should be thrown from the guard position and return along the same path. At impact, the palm should be facing downward. Try to aim to the lower part of the head

Low Jab

To throw a lower jab you have to lower yourself to target level in order to take the full advantage of your body mass . If you jab is at a downward angle, you punch will have less power and causes poor defensive posture.
Step in with the lead foot and bend at the knees and and waist simultaneously.

The jab is your probe and range finder you use to set up for most of your power punches.

Watch these masters of the jab and learn from them:

• Muhammad Ali
• Sugar Ray Robinson
• Sugar RayLeonard
• Tommy Loughran
• Tommy Hearns
• Larry Holmes
• Willie Pep

Whenever you jab, you should  move  ( Advance, retreat,  left,  right,   clockwise or counter clockwise).  It is key to good boxing. When you finish with a  power body punch, you should  retreat fast  and with a good guard.

The jab  is most useful and versatile punch. A jab can be :

• Standard classic jab
• Corkscrew jab  (see punches)
• Lead jolt: a classic jab accompanied by a forward hard  step ( used by Jack Dempsey)
• Lunge jab:  a jab that covers a great deal of distance with no exaggerated stomp of  the Lead Jolt ( think of long lunge used  in fencing)
• Speed jab: there is no hinge or body weight behind this jab. The punch goes straight from the guard in a straight line to the target
• Pivot Jab:  the jab shoulder should rotate inward toward your  jaw  while moving behind the jab  to establish an inside fight
• Post Jab:  on impact leave the jab at full extension  to muffle your opponent  counters ( Mohammed Ali)

Jabs are usually countered with a return jab, cross or lead hook.